Announcements

Building a relationship with a primary healthcare provider is important to a child’s health and ideally students should obtain sports physical clearance from their primary care provider as well. We know that families are complex and access to this kind of healthcare isn’t easy for all. The FWCS FACE Health Center has partnered with Parkview Physician’s Group (PPG) to help bridge the gap.

PPG will be providing FWCS with a nurse practitioner to examine students that have limited resources or the inability to connect with a primary healthcare provider. The nurse practitioner will complete a sports physical in the form of a well-child checkup for the student during a scheduled appointment at the FWCS FACE Center. If the student has any insurance eligibility, Parkview will bill the private insurance and/or Medicaid for these services. If there is no insurance they will provide the exam and help them gain access to insurance. Any additional costs not covered by insurance will be evaluated by Parkview Health for possible charity care. The attempted goal is no out of pocket expenses for most families.

Appointments are limited so sports physicals/well-child checkups will be by appointment only. If you know of families that you think would benefit from this service, please have them call the FWCS FACE Health Center at 467-7260 to schedule an appointment.

To Do List:Complete all band paperwork and turn in (Note: the Medical Authorization form does NOT need notarized in order to be turned in). Be sure to include a clear email address so that you are added to the BOP email list. Turn in physical form completed by a doctor in order to march in parade. Pay band fees (see attached 2017 Big Orange Pride Band Fees Breakdown form). Like BOP on Facebook to receive regular updates: facebook.com/BigOrangePride Check the updated rehearsal and competition schedule at northropmusic.comImportant dates for summer & pre-competition season:

Friday, July 7 (7:30 pm): Come watch BOP as they do their annual season kick-off march through Springwood addition. You can even follow them through the addition. Deadline for turning in completed physicals in order to march in parade! Spirit wear will be available for purchase most of the evening. See Audra Shafer. Saturday, July 8: Three Rivers Festival Parade – see Mr. Wilson’s poop sheet for details. Tuesday, July 25: NIMPA meeting...all parents are welcome, especially new parents!

Friday, August 11: Parent preview in the stadium, get your first look at the BOP 2017 competition show!

Friday, August 18: First home football game...come cheer BOP as they unveil their 2017 half-time show to their fellow Bruins!

Wednesday, August 30: Tin Caps game. BOP plays before the game on concourse behind center field and a small group performs the National Anthem. Ticket sales for this event serve as a fund raiser for your child’s band account. Detailed information will be distributed separately. Please check the website for the schedule for the rest of the season, including competitions!

FYI.....NIMPAstands for Northrop Instrumental Music Parents Association, the parent booster organization for the marching band AND EVERY OTHER BAND in the instrumental music department. Every parent is welcome and encouraged to attend the monthly meetings. The meetings are regularly scheduled for the 3rd Tuesday each month. NOTE: The July meeting is the 4th Tuesday, 7/25.

VOLUNTEERING: BOP relies heavily on parent/family volunteers in order to function. We need every family to participate in volunteering for our organization to be successful. Read all emails that come for details on specific volunteer opportunities as the season progresses.

Here is a list of volunteer positions currently open for this season:Nurse for band competitions Johnny Appleseed coordinator/s Craft Bazaar coordinator (Fall and Spring) – our biggest fund raiser of the year! BOP band Invitational coordinator/s

DONATIONS: BOP also relies on donations. Please place your donated items in the closet in the band room. Here is a list of items we always need:

Cases of water. Snacks – Please no peanuts or orange. These will be used on competition days. We will be asking throughout the year for donations of food items for different events such as Jazz fest and the BOP Invitational.

Every Thursday starting with Band Camp, spirit wear (t-shirts, sweatshirts, etc.) will be available for purchase. Thursdays during completion season are parent preview nights. Come approximately 15 minutes prior to the end of rehearsal and watch the last big rehearsal before each week’s competition. Spirit wear will also be available on these nights.

--Turn in all paperwork and payments to the locked orange mailbox in the band room. Please write your student’s name on any envelope you turn in.

--Freshmen...did you know that there is a sophomore gym class waiver that you can get if you participate in marching band? Ask your guidance counselor when completing your schedule for sophomore year.

--Did you know that Northrop offers year-round band opportunities? Ask Mr. Wilson about any of the following bands to keep playing long after marching band season: Jazz 1 & 2, Percussion Ensemble, Pep Band, Intrigue (show choir back-up band). Jazz bands, percussion and Intrigue require auditions.

-- FAQ:Q: What should my child wear to band camp and parade?

A: Wear weather appropriate, comfortable clothing, and good strong marching shoes to all rehearsals. Students will receive their summer band shirt that is to be worn to the parade. Summer band uniform includes the shirt, khaki shorts, white socks, and white shoes. This is what they will wear during all hot-weather performances. Guard uniform is teal show shirt, black shorts, white shoes, and white socks.

Q: What should my child bring to camp?

A: A large water jug to stay hydrated. sunscreen, a 1” sturdy binder, 50 clear sheet protectors, and a decent length of string to carry the binder with them on the field.

Q: What if my child got a physical late in their last school year...does it count for next school year or do I need a new one?

A: A physical is valid for 12 months. Please just make sure your child’s physical is kept current.

Q: What if I work during band camp pick up and drop off times? Is there a carpool option?

A: There is currently a carpool being developed by Charlene Gardner, the head bus Mom. Please watch your email for details on how to sign up.

Q: What if my child does not own their own instrument?

A: If you need an instrument please speak to Mr. Wilson.

Q: Are there other ways to pay fees, such as fundraising?

A: There are many fund raising opportunities throughout the marching band season and beyond. Many fund raisers will go directly toward paying your child’s band fees. Other fund raisers raise money for the band general fund (Johnny Appleseed, Jazz Festival, BOP Invitational, etc.). Please refer any fee payment questions to Dawn Houser, Treasurer.

Q: Who are the current NIMPA Board Members?

Q: What if we already have a vacation planned during band camp?

A: Please speak directly to Mr. Wilson about any schedule conflicts that you have. Attendance is very important and he needs to be aware of and approve any absences.

Q: How does lunch work during band camp?

A: Please pack a lunch for your child each day of band camp, or plan to drop off a lunch at the designated time (to be announced). If you are unable to wait in your car until the band comes off the parking lot for lunch, consider getting your child’s band locker number and combo to deliver a lunch to their locker.

Q: I want to help, but I can’t be at every practice or at every competition. How can I be involved?

A: Every little bit of help counts! Pay attention to the emails (or Facebook posts) that come throughout the season for details on specific events when help is needed. Some very important dates to save now are: -the Johnny Appleseed Festival on Sunday, September 17 -the Northrop Invitational on Saturday, September 23 -the Northrop Fall Craft Bazaar on Saturday, November 18

Q: What can I expect on a band competition day?

A: If you’ve never been to a band competition, you are in for a treat! The band travels via bus to and from the competitions, so you will often be dropping your student off very early in the morning at Northrop, and picking up late. Please always be on time dropping off and picking up! It is important for our kids to have a big crowd cheering in the stands at each competition. Plan to arrive to the site much earlier than the slotted Northrop scheduled performance time to allow time for parking, seating, and viewing of other talented local bands. Whenever possible, wear your orange and brown spirit wear to support the kids. Remember, when you are wearing those colors, you are representing Northrop, so respectful behavior is of the utmost importance at all times.

Q: Band practices go right through dinner time on school nights. How does that work?

A: A plan is in process to make some meals available for purchase on Tuesday and Thursday practices for a small fee (approx. $5). These will most likely be available before the beginning of rehearsal to limit rehearsal interruptions. Please watch your email for more details. You can also bring something for your child to eat before rehearsal starts.

Q: What type of uniform will my child wear during competition?

A: A BOP uniform is provided for each band member, including shoes. The uniform never goes home. Band members usually get dressed on the bus at each competition. Be sure your child is wearing a layer of clothes on the bus that can also be worn under the uniform. Remember, there are no private dressing rooms, so dress appropriately for coed changing into uniform. (E.g. If your child is wearing sweats on the bus, make sure he/she has a pair of shorts under the sweats that will stay on under the uniform.) Don’t forget to always wear BLACK SOCKS to a competition!

Q: What is the difference between the various competition classes?

A: All bands are classified by the enrollment in their school for ISSMA band competitions. Within the enrollment classifications, there are two different competition classifications available, Open and Scholastic. Open class is available for all schools. Scholastic Class is available for bands that have no more than 110 members. Northrop currently competes in the Scholastic Class A. We will have between 90-100 members in our marching band this year.

Q: What is Pit Crew?​A: Pit Crew is a group of dedicated parents that assist with the band on competition days They get all of the equipment loaded and unloaded on the semi-trailer and help get the band, equipment and props on and off the field at competitions. See Dave Shafer if you are interested in helping.

To pay fees:Make checks out to NIMPA or Northrop Instrumental Music Parents Association you can also pay with cash or money order.​Fees can be paid all at once or in regular monthly payments ($75/month June – Oct). If fees are paid prior to the end of Parade Camp (July 8th) your will receive a $50.00 discount. We would like to have all fees paid prior to the end of the Marching Band Season (Oct. 31, 2018). This is because by that time NIMPA will have had to pay for all of the costs of the Marching Band Season (please refer to the fee breakdown for an idea of what these expenses are).

Payments can be mailed to me at:Dawn Houser4330 Winding Way Dr.Fort Wayne, IN 46835ORPlaced in an envelope in the Big Orange Mailbox

PLEASE be sure to include your child’s name on the check and envelope.

Band Statements will be emailed approximately once per month, however, you can access your child’s account anytime by logging into Charms:

Charms Office Assistant: Charmsoffice.comSchool Code: NorthropHSBandStudent Password: firstlastnameAll fundraising credits will show up on your child’s account in Charms approximately 2 weeks after the fundraiser has been completed.

Kroger credits will be applied to your child’s account in Charms approximately 2 weeks after the due date to submit Kroger statements.

Financial Aide may be available to eligible students. Please contact me for details. One thing to note is that students must participate in all fundraisers to be considered.